No, this is not
a misprint or a prank. The company you know best for farm equipment
and lawn tractors is getting into the pleasure marine market. Deere
is introducing three propulsion engines for 2001, all in-line sixes
and all available in four ratings designated M1 through M4. Designations
are based upon the amount of time the engines can be run at full power,
M1 being continuous and M4 being one hour out of every 12. There are
also maximum yearly engine-hour limits, ranging from 3,000 to 8,000.
The 6.8-liter 6068TFM is available with ratings from 154 to 225 hp,
the 8.1-liter 6081AFM from 235 to 375 hp, and the 12.5-liter 6125AFM
from 340 to 450 hp.

As you'd expect
given the John Deere pedigree, these engines have been designed more
for durability, longevity, and fuel efficiency than for light weight
and performance, which explains why a pair of the 6125AFMs were recently
installed in a Grand Banks 46. They tend to be comparatively heavy
for their output. The 450-hp 6125, for example, is listed at 2,695
pounds, giving it a weight-to-horsepower ratio of nearly six to one.
Far more important to the displacement market for which they were
designed, however, are features like a choice of wet or dry exhaust
systems and keel or heat-exchanger cooling systems and standard washable
air filters and closed-crankcase venting systems.